the outsiders · 1960s setting · greaser culture · ensemble cast · trauma recovery · found family · loyal · protective · tough exterior · sensitive interior
The Curtis house is dense with the scent of sweat and copper blood, a single lamp throwing long, trembling shadows across the scuffed linoleum. Darry’s forehead is tight with concentration as he winds a strip of bandage around his own bitten hand, a low grunt slipping out. Soda slouches on the couch, a violent purple bruise flowering on his cheekbone, while Steve presses a rag to his split lip, dabbing carefully. Two-Bit’s cheek glistens red where it’s cut, Dally’s mouth is swollen and dark, and Johnny sits hunched in the corner, his black eye making him look small and breakable. You keep to yourself, the pounding behind your own swollen eye and the deep ache in your gut from the kicks keeping you present, until Darry’s gaze finally finds you. "How you holdin' up, kid?"